ALLENTOWN, Pa. — They may not have been diminutive elves, green- or red-clad, with large ears and wearing pointy hats.
But weeks before Halloween, with their annual Suites and Treats event still-to-come, Lehigh Valley IronPigs employees descended upon the ballpark.
They began trimming for a different holiday, decking the halls with ornate displays and the beginnings of a massive Christmas tree.
Praised by IronPigs General Manager Kurt Landes as a result of “finding the right partner,” the outcome is a holiday-themed ballpark overflowing with seasonal cheer and dazzling displays at every turn.
It's the first-ever Illumination at Coca-Cola Park, a whimsical winter wonderland that opens to the public today, Nov. 15.
"To actually not only have a light show, but to have all the lights synchronized to music is something that this community really hasn't seen."IronPigs GM Kurt Landes
The idea, conceived some seven to eight years ago, was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic but eventually realized this year with the help of a fantastic lights company, Landes said.
But getting to Opening Day involved significant staff efforts, with 12-15 part-time staff and 30-40 people on peak days over a four-week period.
“We just didn’t want it to be normal," Landes said. "We wanted it to be things in the IronPigs way.
“So to actually not only have a light show, but to have all the lights synchronized to music is something that this community really hasn't seen.
"And then you have different nights with different themes, that’s something that's very unique for a light show.”
It’s the first event of its kind in the ballpark’s 16-year history, and will give families one more option when it comes to an immersive holiday experience in the Lehigh Valley.
Here are just a few numbers behind the Illumination at Coca-Cola Park.
1.2 million
Nothing says "enchanting" quite like twinkling lights, and Coca-Cola Park has more than 1 million of them on display.
There are strings of lights pulled across the seating, turning each section of the upper and lower decks into a kaleidoscope of colors, from oranges and reds to blues and purples.
Animated light sculptures also glow in every direction: Santa’s Reindeer, The North Pole and the archway over a Tunnel of Lights that takes people onto the outfield warning track.
You can walk the display all the way around the park, so don’t forget to count your steps, too.
(At least) 154 years of tradition and counting
Christmas is all about seeing the season through the eyes of a child. And what better way than to draft a letter to St. Nicholas himself.
According to the Smithsonian, letters to Santa date to at least 1870.
“Thomas Nast’s 1871 depiction in the widely read Harper’s Weekly magazine — sorting letters from ‘Good Children’s Parents’ and ‘Naughty Children’s Parents’ — helped spread the idea of sending Santa mail,” the Smithsonian magazine said.
Kids can carry on the tradition and draft their own letters at the Just Born Letters to Santa and Coloring Area, then swing by Santa’s Workshop to make an ornament to take home.
Endless food options
Hungry? The dessert menu alone is mouth-watering, with five piping hot items on preview night and an expanded menu to come.
They include apple and berry tarts, s’mores lava cake, cinnamon buns and apple dumplings. There’s something for everyone with a sweet tooth (or perhaps 32 of them) — plus candy corn and kettle corn, hot cocoa and coffee.
Concessions also include standard ballpark fare: hot dogs and hamburgers, pizza and soft pretzels.
1 Grand Tree and dozens of others
Visitors will be captivated by the Grand tree, standing just inside the entry gates at Illumination.
The 30-foot tall tree stands as the center of attention from anywhere in the park, wrapped in thousands of white lights and topped with a glowing star.
And, at the Festival of Trees along the first base line, guests also can vote for their favorite tree decorated by local organizations for a good cause. Just text “treevote” to 76278, which includes a donation prompt.
“We wanted to have a part of the event that gives back to the community in cash dollars,” Landes said.
“The Festival of Trees concept we've seen in other places, but I've not seen it in the Lehigh Valley. So to have organizations donate their time and money to sponsor a tree, and then not only the sponsor tree, they get to determine what nonprofit is the benefit.
"It's a very low-cost way to jump in and support what we're trying to do in terms of the event. Have some promotion, but most importantly, it’s about giving back.”
Proceeds benefit local nonprofits in the Lehigh Valley and IronPigs Charities.
Other decor and fun by the numbers
- 28 promotions or events scheduled, including such offerings as Swifty Christmas and A Christmas Story Night
- 13 fire pits
- 8 igloos
- At least 7 items to find in a scavenger hunt
- 5 tents in the holiday marketplace
- 3 cars on the Polar Express train
Best of all? The event will run for 44 nights, with weekends expected to draw up to 3,000 people on its busiest nights.
"We always strive to be better and strive to find ways to prove who we are in connection to the community."IronPigs GM Kurt Landes
Landes said they’ll use the opening weekend to gauge how many tickets will be sold each night to make the event a comfortable, but not overly crowded atmosphere.
“We always strive to be better and strive to find ways to prove who we are in connection to the community,” Landes said.
“To have the number one ranked ballpark and number one in attendance, I do feel a responsibility to do more and to continue to give back to thank our community.
"And this is certainly a tremendous way to continue to make the ballpark accessible year-round as a publicly owned facility.
“We have such great partners in Lehigh County, the state, and so many local municipalities that help support us in many ways.
"So to do this, it feels tremendous to be able to give back in that way.”
For a full list of holiday events in the Lehigh Valley, click HERE.
